Use of hazardous substances such as FBSA in the EU

23.9.2021

Question for written answer  E-004375/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Cindy Franssen (PPE)

The Flemish authorities and the environmental inspectorate have ordered the chemical company 3M to immediately stop discharging FBSA (Perfluorobutane sulfonamide, also known as H-FBSA) from its plant in Zwijndrecht. This decision was made after FBSA effluent was discovered in the Scheldt, despite the fact that the company had neither reported the discharges nor received official authorisation for them. The discharges have reportedly been taking place for at least 10 years[1][2].

In view of this:

• 1.Does the Commission have a list of locations where this and other PFAS are being used and produced in the EU?
• 2.Does it have an overview of areas in the Union potentially contaminated with FBSA or other PFAS?
• 3.Is it keeping an eye on measures taken by the Member States to contain possible discharges of hazardous substances (that is to say FBSA and PFAS in general)?

• [1] https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2021/08/24/chemiebedrijf-3m-geeft-nu-zelf-aan-dat-het-giftige-stof-fbsa-in/
• [2] https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20210829_97658265